Mary Spitzer

Meet Our Artists

Mary J Spitzer

Mary J SpitzerRoom 301ESculpture

I work mostly in wood- found logs and lumber and some newly purchased. Carving in wood constrains me in many ways. The grain can catch me gouge and pull my cut in a certain direction. The light and dark of the grain is often very sensual and interesting but it can distract from the visual power of the volume I am trying to carve.

In representational art, when I work with a volume which was once a tree a superficial sense of recognition and attractiveness can get in the way of the idea I am trying to carve.When I am working abstractly and start out thinking "I am just fooling around with forms" an idea often arrives anyway and then I can pursue that.

Constructing from planks and found wood means joining wood in a convincing way so that the result is more than the sum of its parts. Proceeding this way requires planning and seems more intellectual. Carving always seems more risky and intuitive because the interior is hidden from me.

The dynamic interplay of these possibilities and requirements is central to the meaning of my work.M.S.